Svetlana was active in extracurricular activities in school and took active part in school-held KVNs, spectacles, performances and other events. She met her future husband in middle school #305, in Kupchino, near Leningrad.[1]

After the couple moved to Moscow, Medvedeva directed several Russian-Italian initiatives Sister cities Milan – Saint Petersburg and Venice – Saint Petersburg which intended to develop tourism between these cities.[1] In 2006, she initiated the annual Russian art festival in Bari, Italy.[2]

Medvedeva became First Lady when her husband, Dmitry Medvedev, took over as president following his victory in Russian Presidential elections on 7 May 2008. In the same year, she headed the initiative for the institution of Family Day in Russia. She has already caused something of a media frenzy even though she shies away from photographers and rarely gives interviews.[3] Medvedeva currently chairs the management council of multitier program Spiritual and moral culture of younger generation of Russia created with blessing of Alexy II of Moscow.[4] In a recent interview, Svetlana detailed her views on the interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the government of Russia in promoting family policies.[5] She has taken up the pro-life cause in Russia's efforts to restrict abortion in 2011.[6]